UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft announced the selection of Kayla Treanor as women’s lacrosse head coach. Treanor, a highly decorated player at Syracuse, comes to Happy Valley after serving as the head coach at Syracuse for the last four years.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kayla Treanor to our Penn State family as our women’s lacrosse head coach,” said Kraft. “Her unparalleled experience as both a player and coach make her the perfect leader for our program. I know Kayla will elevate our program to new heights after seeing firsthand her passion for developing student-athletes, championship mindset and commitment to excellence.”
“I’m honored to be named the head coach of Penn State Women’s Lacrosse,” said Treanor. “I want to thank Pat Kraft and the entire athletics department for their trust in me and for the significant investment they’re making in this program. Penn State is committed to winning at the highest level, and so am I. Our sights are set on bringing a National Championship to Happy Valley, and I’m excited to lead this team into a new era of success.”
As the head coach at Syracuse, Treanor compiled a 59-24 record and guided the Orange to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back National Semifinal bids in 2023 and 2024. Treanor and the Orange played the No. 1 strength of schedule in the country in 2024 and 2025. Among the many accolades received by Syracuse student-athletes under Treanor, Meghan Tyrell was a two-time Tewaaraton Award finalist in 2022 and 2023.
This year, Syracuse advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and had a trio of US Lacrosse Magazine All-Americans. Under Treanor’s guidance, Emma Ward became SU’s all-time assists leader. In September 2024, Treanor was selected to be an assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s Senior National Team for the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship in Japan.
In 2024, the Orange won their second-straight ACC regular-season title and advanced to the National Semifinals before falling to eventual National Champion Boston College. Syracuse finished with a 16-6 record after holding opponents to less than 10 goals in 11 games. She mentored four IWLCA All-Americans, including first-teamers Katie Goodale and Emma Tyrrell. Tyrrell became just the ninth Division I player to record 400 career points and finished her career ranked sixth on the NCAA all-time point list. In addition, Kate Mashewske set the NCAA single-season record for draw controls with 234.
Treanor’s 2023 squad won its first 15 games of the season for the best start and longest winning streak in program history. Syracuse finished the season with 18 wins, the fourth-most wins in program history. The Orange occupied the No. 1 spot in the Inside Lacrosse/IWLCA poll for five consecutive weeks and earned a share of the ACC regular-season title with an 8-1 record. In her first year at the helm, Treanor helped the Orange defeat eight ranked teams. Syracuse advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals and finished with a 15-6 record.
Prior to returning to lead her alma mater, Treanor spent four years at perennial contender Boston College, serving as associate head coach in 2020 and 2021 and assistant coach in 2018 and 2019. In her four years at BC, the Eagles advanced to the championship game three times (2020 season was cancelled due to COVID) and won a national championship in 2021. Under her tutelage, Sam Apuzzo and Charlotte North won the Tewaaraton Award for the most outstanding American college lacrosse player. Treanor also spent one year as an assistant coach at Harvard in 2017.
As a player, Treanor led Syracuse to four consecutive Championship Weekend appearances from 2013-16, including a spot in the 2014 National Championship game. She is the only player in program history to earn IWLCA first-team All-America honors each of her four seasons. She was also a three-time finalist for the Tewaaraton Award and earned IWLCA Attacker of the Year three consecutive years. Treanor was the ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2016. She left Syracuse as the Orange’s all-time scoring leader.
Treanor also found success as a player with Team USA. She helped the U.S. win gold at the 2017 and 2022 World Championships and was selected to the All-World Team both years. Treanor retired after the 2022 championships as U.S. Lacrosse’s all-time leader in points (77) and goals (44). Treanor also played professionally from 2017-21.